12 of the best · the Thai Islands, Thailand
National and Marine Parks of the Thai Islands
Most of the islands’ great sights lie in national parks: reefs and limestone islands at sea, rainforest and waterfalls on land. Parks charge an entrance fee, and some marine parks close for part of the south-west monsoon.
Our 12 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated 2026-10-25
What's onThis week in the Thai Islands
Browse by type
Insiders' picks
Our first three calls on this list, from editors who know the islands from Phuket to Koh Samui.
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Declared 1981
Ao Phang Nga National Park
The limestone islands, mangroves and sea caves of Phang Nga Bay, with prehistoric cliff paintings.
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Declared 1982
Mu Ko Similan National Park
The granite islands named for nine, and some of Thailand’s finest diving and snorkelling.
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Declared 1981
Sirinat National Park
Phuket’s north-west coast: 13 kilometres of beach at Nai Yang and Nai Thon, coral reef and turtle nesting grounds.
The full list: National Parks, A–Z
More areas 5
Andaman marine parks 6
Reefs, limestone and white sand.
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Declared 1981
Ao Phang Nga National Park
The limestone islands, mangroves and sea caves of Phang Nga Bay, with prehistoric cliff paintings.
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Phi Phi and the Krabi coast
Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park
The marine park around Phi Phi and the Krabi coast: limestone cliffs, caves, coral and a long white beach.
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The southern tip
Mu Ko Lanta National Park
The national park at Lanta’s southern tip, with its lighthouse and the outer islands.
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Declared 1982
Mu Ko Similan National Park
The granite islands named for nine, and some of Thailand’s finest diving and snorkelling.
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Declared 1981
Mu Ko Surin National Park
Five islands near the Myanmar sea border, with some of Thailand’s most pristine shallow reefs.
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Declared 1981
Sirinat National Park
Phuket’s north-west coast: 13 kilometres of beach at Nai Yang and Nai Thon, coral reef and turtle nesting grounds.
Gulf & eastern marine parks 3
Ang Thong, Koh Chang and Koh Samet.
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Around 40 islands
Ang Thong Marine National Park
An archipelago of around 40 islands, by day boat from Samui.
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The island’s park
Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park
The national park covering Ko Samet and its neighbours.
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Rainforest & limestone 3
Waterfalls, caves and the southern forest.
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Phuket’s rainforest
Khao Phra Thaeo
Phuket’s last large rainforest: waterfalls, giant trees and the gibbon rehabilitation project at Bang Pae.
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Southern rainforest
Khao Sok National Park
The heart of the south’s largest rainforest, with limestone peaks and the Rajjaprabha (Cheow Lan) reservoir.
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Limestone and mangroves
Than Bok Khorani National Park
Emerald pools, limestone peaks, caves and mangrove trails north of Krabi.
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